The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living

In this special year-end edition of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, continues the conversation with key Home Office leaders to reflect on the progress, priorities, and people that shaped 2025. Greg is joined by Linda Green, Chief of Staff, Susan Camacho, Solutions Consultant, and Paul Wang, Vice President Asset Management, who share how their teams supported communities, strengthened operational infrastructure, increased occupancy, and expanded the 12 Oaks portfolio. From behind the scenes operational coordination and contract management to hands on census growth, dementia support, and strategic portfolio expansion, the discussion highlights the high touch, culture driven approach that defines 12 Oaks. Looking ahead to 2026, leaders outline priorities focused on policy and training advancement, technology and AI integration, leadership development, new community onboarding, and thoughtful growth across core markets, positioning 12 Oaks for continued momentum in an evolving senior living landscape. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this special year end edition of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, sits down with members of the executive leadership team to reflect on the milestones, growth, and momentum that defined 2025. Throughout the episode, leaders from finance, human resources, operations, care and compliance share how their teams strengthened systems, supported community leaders, enhanced resident care, and built deeper connections across the organization. From financial excellence and workforce engagement to occupancy growth, wellness initiatives, and value-based care, the conversation highlights how 12 Oaks continues to live out its mission of helping seniors thrive in community. Looking ahead to 2026, the leadership team outlines priorities focused on operational strength, team development, resident wellness, and thoughtful innovation, positioning 12 Oaks for continued success in a growing and evolving senior living industry. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, sits down with Travis Wick, Regional Vice President, to unpack the strategies and heart behind serving the middle market in senior living. From his unexpected start in the industry to leading thriving independent living communities, Travis shares how 12 Oaks is redefining affordability, access, and quality of life for residents who might otherwise be left out of the senior living conversation. Together, Greg and Travis discuss how the middle market model delivers value through smart operations, strong resident relationships, and innovative care partnerships that extend independence and length of stay. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host  Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks, is joined by Chief Executive Officer Richard K. Blaylock for a deep dive into the future of value-based care in senior living. Together, they explore how 12 Oaks is laying the groundwork for smarter care delivery—through integrated health records, data warehousing, and emerging technologies like motion and fall detection. From pilot programs to strategic partnerships with platforms like August Health and Inspiron, this episode unpacks how the 2025 thematic goal of value-based care is becoming a reality. With a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, Greg and Richard discuss how these initiatives are designed to improve wellness outcomes, enhance family satisfaction, extend length of stay, and drive long-term RevPAR growth. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks, is joined by Richard K. Blaylock, Chief Executive Officer, for a forward-looking conversation on the 2025 Thematic Goals guiding the organization. Together, they explore the strategic priorities shaping the year ahead—from deepening operational excellence and enhancing partner value, to aligning teams around shared purpose and delivering consistent community outcomes. Grounded in clarity, focus, and accountability, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how 12 Oaks is turning bold goals into measurable impact across its senior living portfolio. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks, sits down with Chief Revenue Officer Aaron Catoe to explore the evolving role of the CRO in today’s senior living landscape. Together, they dive into the strategies behind driving sustainable growth, optimizing team performance, and achieving and maintaining 90% occupancy across communities. From the power of emotional intelligence and relational dynamics to the importance of aligning leadership with operational excellence, this episode offers practical insights and a deeper look into the leadership mindset that fuels success at 12 Oaks. Produced by Solinity Marketing. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Melissa Labor, Chief People Officer, speaks with Marlene Garcia, Human Resources Manager on the 12 Oaks approach to strategies for recruiting and hiring in senior living communities. Discover how this conversation highlights the importance of high touch models in recruiting, building meaningful recruiters to community relationships, new employee experience and prioritizing a meaningful culture for 12 Oaks residents. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Melissa Labor, Chief People Officer, is joined by Steve Nguyen, Learning and Development Director to explore how intentional leadership, thoughtful technology adoption, and a culture of continuous learning drive success at 12 Oaks. Steve shares insights on the importance of unlearning outdated habits and embracing change, while Melissa highlights the company’s commitment to aligning initiatives with its mission to be trusted, best-in-class partners. Packed with actionable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership and organizational development. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks, host Melissa Labor, Chief People Officer, speaks with Erika Robledo, Human Resources Director, about her 25-year journey with 12 Oaks. They discuss the organization’s accomplishments in 2024, including achieving their thematic goal of being “Best in Class as Trusted Partners,” and their focus for 2025 on employee well-being, enhanced benefits, collaboration, and sustainability. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

In this special year-end episode of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living, CEO Dick Blaylock sits down with President Greg Puklicz to recap a remarkable 2024 and discuss what lies ahead. Together, they celebrate 40 years since the inception of 12 Oaks, highlighting milestone accomplishments, including impressive occupancy gains, advancements in high-touch management, and the rollout of a new EHR system with August Health. They also share key initiatives for 2025, focusing on expanding value-based care, building a data warehouse, and responsibly growing the portfolio. Join us as we look back on the successes of 2024 and get inspired for the future of senior living. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Natalie Kunkel, Solutions Consultant, joins Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss the Symphony of Life program, a specialized approach to care for residents with cognitive challenges. They discuss how the program was developed to improve resident engagement and independence through a holistic, community-wide strategy. Natalie explains how team members are trained through a virtual dementia experience to build empathy, and how personalized support plans help maintain resident dignity and wellness. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Terese Corbin, Vice President of Care and Compliance, joins Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss the transformative impact of value-based care in senior living. They explore how this approach emphasizes proactive wellness management, leading to better health outcomes, longer resident stays, and overall satisfaction while maintaining cost-effectiveness through coordinated services like August Health. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Paul Wang, Vice President Asset Management, joins Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss 12 Oaks Senior Living’s rapid growth, successful management of distressed communities, and their outperformance of budget expectations. They also explore future market opportunities, with 12 Oaks poised to capitalize on increasing demand for senior housing and regional expansion. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Aaron Catoe, Senior Vice President of Operations, and David Ensor, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, join Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss 12 Oaks’ successful sales and marketing strategies and demonstrate how these strategies have led to significant occupancy growth across their communities. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Jennifer Braun, Executive Director of The Grove at Midtown, joins Melissa Labor, Chief People Officer of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to share her journey in senior living, the impact of 12 Oaks’ leadership and core values, and her approach to building a successful team and community through transparency, trust, and comprehensive training. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Eilleen Aldridge, Vice President 12 Oaks Solutions, joins Lori Jones, Chief Operating Officer of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss various aspects of community management, including dementia care through the Symphony of Life program. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Aaron Catoe, Senior Vice President of Operations, joins Lori Jones, Chief Operating Officer of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss challenges the senior living industry has experienced since COVID, as well as divulging into experiences, insights, and strategies which have involved adapting sales approaches and addressing evolving needs of resident and family. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

David Ensor, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, joins Lori Jones, Chief Operating Officer of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss challenges the senior living industry has experienced since COVID. They divulge into experiences, insights, and strategies which have involved adapting sales approaches and addressing evolving needs of resident and family. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Aaron Catoe, Senior Vice President of Operations, and David Ensor, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, join Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to delve into their approach to sales and marketing. Aaron and David address how connection, mindset, and care impact their outcomes.   Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Ann Bargeron, Senior Housing and Real Estate Leader, joins Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks Senior Living, to discuss the importance of owner-operator alignment to create thriving senior living communities, especially those in need of CapEx investments. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Dick Blaylock, Founder and CEO of 12 Oaks Senior Living, shares with President Greg Puklicz, how he entered into the family business of senior living and how 12 Oaks’ core values shape the trajectory of their communities, team members, and the company’s future. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Join Melissa Labor, Chief People Officer at 12 Oaks Senior Living, and President Greg Puklitz, as they discuss how they are approaching labor, fueling their team, and creating an environment where both team members and residents alike can thrive. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

2023 has been shaped by phenomenal growth for 12 Oaks Senior Living. Listen to Greg Puklicz discuss 12 Oaks’ approach to revamping communities in the middle market with Paul Wang, Vice President of Asset Management. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Listen to Greg Puklicz, President of 12 Oaks, and Eilleen Aldridge, Vice President of Solutions, discuss how 12 Oaks’ communities have increased resident retention and referrals through the Symphony of Life program and how their “sit in a seat” model provides continuity in leadership roles. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Kelli Sawyer, VP of Accounting, and Erika Robledo, Human Resource Manager, join host Greg Puklicz to discuss the ways in which 12 Oaks approaches their communities with support through a variety of avenues. Both Kelli and Erika dive into how they came up through the 12 Oaks ranks, and what their departments do to build valuable team culture. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Lori Jones, Chief Operating Officer, joins host Greg Puklicz to discuss how 12 Oaks has overcome senior living operation challenges involving staffing, occupancy, and revenue. Lori has over 25 years of experience in senior housing operations and as a Registered Nurse brings a unique perspective to the conversation. This episode was recorded at the NIC Spring Conference.   Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Join Greg Puklicz, host of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living, along with Aaron Catoe, Senior Vice President of Operations, as we hear about the importance of leadership in senior living operations. Aaron’s passion for his team members and residents is evident in his commitment to the industry and profession. As the Senior Vice President of Operations, he’s perfectly positioned to share some very informative thoughts on leadership in senior living community operations, especially what makes strong leaders and how to develop strong leaders. Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.

Join Greg Puklicz, host of The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living as we hear about the character, competency and care that is required to successfully manage senior living portfolios. Greg’s industry knowledge and passion for his team members and residents is evident in his commitment to senior living operations. Through each episode, listeners will hear insights on third-party management, operational challenges and successes, addressing the labor challenges, building a culture where frontline staff want to work, and so much more.   Learn more about 12 Oaks Senior Living Follow 12 Oaks Senior Living: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe to The Roots Podcast by 12 Oaks Senior Living on YouTube.